Search - Maria's Lovers on DVD

The Best Love Story Ever

Gregory M Seifert | Suwon, Korea | 11/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky's "Maria's Lovers" is definitly my favorite film. There is nothing too flashy or groundbreaking about this film, in fact it is very subtle. However, it is one of the finest love stories I've ever seen, and John Savage's performance is in my opinion the best I've ever seen. I don't think a film has ever moved me so much. The story is very real and I think the themes and values behind this film are very important and are ones that contemporary Americans often forget about. If you have a taste for European movies and you don't mind a quiet serious drama, this film is really quite exceptional. In my opinion, it's one of the most overlooked and underated films of the 1980's (there aren't many good ones from that decade). I can't believe how low profile it was considering Nasstasia Kinski was the most popular film actress when it was released in 1984. In fact the most attention it has recieved is that is is being released on DVD, which I'm so grateful to MGM for. I hope the DVD market continues releasing unusual and /or conventional films."

The most beautiful actress in film ever

anything mode | 02/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes you dont feel lust if you love a woman too purely like what happen to Ivan Bibic(John Savage)here, he cannot make love to her wife bec. of his love to Maria(Nastassja kisnki) is so pure.
its the greatest love story ive ever seen. Nastassja kinski and John Savage should have won Oscars or Golden in this one. What makes it so great is that its very unpredictable and diverse compare to most of the love stories in cinema which usually ends with a happy ending, nastassja is very beautiful here .
difinitely a movie with brain. Lots of moral lessons here to learn .
A must see if youre a big fan of nastassja."

Challenges, changes and discoveries occuring before, during

Pork Chop | Lisbon, Portugal | 06/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"MARIA'S LOVERS (1984), was a hit, and frequently shown in the
theatres, back in the day of its release. Comprising famous stars
from that time, Nastassja Kinski, Robert Mitchum and John Savage,
the reputations of all 3 was extremely merited, considering the
outstanding job the actors did in bringing this work to life. Anita
Morris also packs a tremendous presence, as well, to the screen,
with dancing action and intense looks, interacting very well, too,
with the others, alternating between a hysterical, artificial call
girl of sorts, with a more serious, affectionate conduct.

Clearly, not all people in an audience finds a sentimental,
romantic movie appealing, that underlines the ephemeral nature of
various stages in one's life, (death, birth, the crossing from a
youthful maturity into married adulthood, and the need to make the
right choice for the relationship to work.)

The author shows an extreme skill in crafting a story about a
relationship between a man and a woman, before and after the
marriage, the challenges, changes and discoveries occuring
thereafter among the partners. It also tells how old habits
sometimes die hard, such as the urge for spontaneous romantic
relationships between other men and/or women even after the formal
union is made. As before, this show the character oscillating one
and another partner depending on which brings the most excitement
at the time, etc.

We see Kinski plaging a girl who easily infatuates, and captures
the sentimental imaginations of men, who are on the same wave
length as her own, that she projects unknowingly or not. At the
same time, Savage is the husband, who is unable to move beyond or
even cope with, those 2 feelings, both before, during and after
their marriage.

Unable to progress to a deeper, more meaningful emotional and
mental rapport with Kinski, Savage, reaching for immediate answers
and relief (like for an Aspirin), finds the solution in simple
girls of his own socio-economic background with which he was raised
and is comfortable in all aspects.

While all this is happening, isolated between her aging mother, her
career as a maternity ward nurse and as a neglected married woman,
Kinsky turns to casual romantic encounters with a handful of men
who can read her situation instinctively, and can satisfy her
artistic and other impulses.

The cinematography is impeccable, with a sharp, clear transfer to
DVD, even after 20 years, the movie doesn't seem to have aged at
all, on screen, especially from the timeless, idyllic tiny rural US
town depicted. The automobiles, homes, clothes worn, layout of the
town all convincingly shows that these are the 1950's or early
60s.

With Savage playing a veteran of the Second World War, released
from a Japanese POW camp, the movie wisely refrains from touching
upon the military life for more than only a few brief moments, to
avoid opening up a Pandora's box of pre-judgements, experiences,
struggles, hazings, isolation, stress, or memories of overcrowded
conditions of such a canp experience, that otherwise would distract
from the story.

Keith Carradine plays a ambulant musician, bringing some accoustic
guitar numbers, and a bit of humor and outside perspective to the
story, that otherwise would have obviously been more introverted,
intensely personal, occuring between Kinsky and Savage."

The Actors Tried Hard to Make the Material Work

Douglas Herman | Pompano Beach, FL | 02/14/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The premise, of soldiers returning from war with severe mental problems, is a timely one. And although the actors do try hard, I felt that the writing wasn't up to their efforts. Usually the case in disappointing movies. Neither was the sound that good. Savage and Kinski deserved better material, better lines, better sound recording equipment. Also, FOUR screenwriters? What did they do, take a vote on what to have the characters do next? And Carradine's character seemed more like a cariacture, especially with that dog. However, the two classic Harley motorcycles used in the movie looked swell. As for the art director, why didn't they take any time with the set? The interior of the HUGE HOUSE where Maria lived with her granny looked like an abandoned mansion awaiting a buyer. Kinski's bedroom was entirely devoid of any personal touches. I've seen jail cells and monks quarters with more warmth than the room "Maria" spent her entire girlhood in. What was she, Amish?

The Exterior locations saved the movie from utter despair. Thank God for picking a decent visual background. Film students might want to study this film for things NOT to do and things to do better."